Method and system for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner

Abstract

This disclosure presents methods and systems for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a well. One or more magnetic fluid conditioners are attached to a coupling mandrel operable to engage with the tubing of a well, either with an existing completion component or directly with the tubing. The coupling mandrel includes a locking mechanism, such as keys or dogs, for setting the mandrel to the profile nipple. The coupling mandrel further includes a packing stack or an expandable element that seals with the completion component or the tubing. The seal directs oil through the mandrel and thus, through the magnetic fluid conditioners. In some embodiments, multiple magnetic fluid conditioners are attached in tandem for more effective conditioning operations. The magnetic fluid conditioners can condition the oil to inhibit the formation of paraffin therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a tubing positioned within a casing of a producing well, the tubing having a completion component comprising at least a section of tubular wall with an internal surface to provide a seal area, the method comprising:
 inserting a coupling mandrel into the tubing positioned within the casing of the well along a longitudinal direction of the tubing, wherein the magnetic fluid conditioner is connected at a distal end of the coupling mandrel; 
 positioning the coupling mandrel at least partially within the completion component, wherein the magnetic fluid conditioner is suspended in a volume of the tubing such that the magnetic fluid conditioner is not in contact with the tubing, 
 wherein the completion component of the tubing interfaces at least partially with the coupling mandrel to position the magnetic fluid conditioner suspended in the volume of the tubing such that the magnetic fluid conditioner is not in contact with the tubing; 
 sealing the coupling mandrel using the seal area of the completion component, wherein the magnetic fluid conditioner is below the seal area and remains in place when tools above the coupling mandrel are actuated or adjusted; 
 directing fluids to flow through the magnetic fluid conditioner and the coupling mandrel along the longitudinal direction of the tubing such that the fluid cannot flow through the tubing past the seal area without going through the magnetic fluid conditioner; 
 conditioning the fluids when the fluids travel through the magnetic fluid conditioner in the longitudinal direction of the tubing; and 
 retrieving the coupling mandrel connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner through the tubing, wherein the coupling mandrel connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner is retrieved at a location adjacent a proximal end of the coupling mandrel. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising locking the coupling mandrel at a locking profile of the completion component, wherein locking the coupling mandrel to the locking profile comprises expanding a set of locking keys of the coupling mandrel to engage the locking profile of the completion component. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein positioning the coupling mandrel further comprises attaching a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing to a fishing neck of the proximal end of the coupling mandrel. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein sealing the coupling mandrel using the seal area comprises placing a packing stack in contact with the seal area, wherein the seal area provides a sealable smoothness to receive the packing stack. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the completion component is a profile nipple placed at a desired position of the well to allow accurate placement of the magnetic fluid conditioner. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein directing fluids to flow through the magnetic fluid conditioner for conditioning the fluids and the coupling mandrel further comprises conditioning the fluids to inhibit the formation of paraffin. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 2 , wherein locking the coupling mandrel to the locking profile comprises engaging the locking profile via a spring loaded locking dog on the coupling mandrel when the locking dog is adjacent the locking profile. 
     
     
       8. A method for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a tubing positioned within a casing of a well, the method comprising:
 inserting a mandrel into the tubing positioned within the casing of the well along a longitudinal direction of the tubing, wherein the mandrel and the magnetic fluid conditioner are in fluid communication, and the magnetic fluid conditioner is below a distal end of the mandrel; 
 positioning the mandrel with the magnetic fluid conditioner such that the mandrel is at least partially radially inward of at least a portion of a profile nipple of the tubing; 
 positioning the mandrel with the magnetic fluid conditioner below the distal end of the mandrel further into the tubing of the well, wherein the magnetic fluid conditioner is suspended in a volume of the tubing by the mandrel that is at least partially radially inward of at least the portion of the profile nipple of the tubing, such that the magnetic fluid conditioner is not in contact with the tubing; 
 expanding a plurality of locking members of the mandrel to engage internal walls of the tubing when the mandrel is at a desired position in the tubing; 
 sealing and setting the mandrel with respect to the internal walls of the tubing; 
 directing fluids in the tubing below the mandrel in the well to flow through the magnetic fluid conditioner in the longitudinal direction of the tubing to be conditioned before entering the mandrel; and 
 retrieving the mandrel connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner through the tubing, wherein the mandrel connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner is retrieved at a location adjacent a proximal end of the mandrel. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein expanding the plurality of locking members of the mandrel further comprises pulling up a distal portion of the mandrel to displace a plurality of slips surrounding the distal portion as to expand the slips and the plurality of locking members thereon to bite against the internal walls of the tubing. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the mandrel is coupled to more than one magnetic fluid conditioners that are coupled in tandem. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein fluids directed to flow through the magnetic fluid conditioner and the coupling mandrel further comprises conditioning the fluids to inhibit the formation of paraffin. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the desired position of the mandrel in the tubing is provided using the profile nipple positioned inside the tubing. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein inserting the mandrel into the tubing of the well comprises lowering the mandrel into the tubing using a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing onto a fishing neck of the mandrel. 
     
     
       14. A system for positioning a magnetic fluid conditioner in a tubing positioned within a casing of a well, the system comprising:
 a tubing having a longitudinal direction installed with at least one completion component at a first location, the completion component comprising at least a section of tubular wall with an internal surface that provides a seal area and a locking profile; 
 a coupling mandrel configured to be connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner, the magnetic fluid conditioner in fluid communication with the coupling mandrel at a distal end of the coupling mandrel and below the coupling mandrel, wherein the coupling mandrel is configured to be locked at the locking profile of the completion component, the completion component configured to position the magnetic fluid conditioner; 
 wherein the coupling mandrel is configured to be sealed against the seal area of the completion component of the tubing and is configured to direct fluids to flow through the magnetic fluid conditioner in the longitudinal direction for magnetic conditioning of the fluids before entering the coupling mandrel; and 
 a proximal end of the coupling mandrel configured to facilitate retrieving the coupling mandrel connected to the magnetic fluid conditioner through the tubing. 
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling mandrel comprises a set of locking keys expandable to engage the locking profile of the completion component. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling mandrel is attached to a slick line (wire line), an E line, or a coil tubing at a fishing neck of the proximal end of the coupling mandrel. 
     
     
       17. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling mandrel further comprises a packing stack for sealing with the seal area wherein the seal area provides a sealable smoothness to receive the packing stack. 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the completion component is a profile nipple installed at the first location of the tubing to allow placement of the magnetic fluid conditioner. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the magnetic fluid conditioner is configured to condition the fluids to inhibit the formation of paraffin. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the coupling mandrel comprises a spring loaded locking dog for engaging the locking profile when the locking dog travels into the locking profile. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the magnetic fluid conditioner further comprises:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 a plurality of singularly alternating opposing magnetic transitions separated by spacers, the magnetic fluid conditioner operable to receive the flowing fluid at the first end, to provide a magnetic field to the flowing fluid, and to discharge the flowing fluid at the second end; 
 a sleeve having a first end, a second end, an internal surface area, an external surface area, and an internal volume of the sleeve defined by the boundaries of the first end, the second end and the internal surface area of the sleeve; 
 a cylindrical member having a first end, a second end, an internal surface area, an external surface area, and a hollow internal volume of the cylindrical member defined by the boundaries of the first end, the second end and the internal surface area of the cylindrical member; 
 a first plurality of magnets stacked together with the spacers in between in a magnetic attraction orientation to hold the stacked magnets together to form a first stack of magnets; 
 a second plurality of magnets stacked together with the spacers in between in a magnetic attraction orientation to hold the stacked magnets together to form a second stack of magnets; 
 wherein the first stack of magnets are positioned along a first portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member, and the second stack of magnets are positioned along a second portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member such that a magnetic attraction is established between the first stack of magnets and the second stack of magnets through the hollow internal volume of the cylindrical member to apply a magnetic flux density to the hollow internal volume, and to hold the first stack of magnets along the first portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member, and to hold the second stack of magnets along the second portion of the external surface of the cylindrical member; and 
 wherein the cylindrical member, the first stack of magnets and the second stack of magnets are positioned in the internal volume of the sleeve, and the hollow internal volume of the cylindrical member serves as the flow path for flowing fluid to flow from the first end of the cylindrical member to the second end of the cylindrical member.